The must-have appliance for summer is the Automatic Ice Cream Maker. Rather than having the hassle of rock salt and ice, these modern marvels work with a gel-filled bowl that is put in the freezer. The cook pours a cooled mixture into the frozen bowl, turns it on, and has ice cream, sherbet, or sorbet in about 20 minutes. No watching, touching, stirring, or replenishing ice or salt is necessary. There are several manufacturers that offer these great timesaving appliances, and the prices are reasonable, with most singles under $50, and others that can handle two flavors at a time selling for slightly more. If you own a KitchenAid mixer, there is even an ice cream maker attachment that works on the same principal as the freestanding machines, but doesn’t take up the room on pantry shelves.

I’ve been using my first automatic ice cream maker, made by Krups, for over 13 years, and it still works perfectly. I purchased a Cuisinart ice cream maker a couple of years ago and it works equally well. Even though these machines aren’t a huge investment, you’ll have to purchase only one and it will give you many years of delicious homemade ice creams, sherbets, and sorbets.


After you’ve made a few batches of ice cream in your Automatic Ice Cream Maker, you might want a good ice cream cookbook to give you some ideas for new flavors. My favorite ice cream cookbook is : Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book I’ve probably tried 10 or 11 of the recipes in this book, and every one has not only been delicious, but every one has tasted like the flavors I have enjoyed at Ben & Jerry’s ice cream stores. The recipes in this book are also quick and easy; most are even suitable for small children to help with; older children probably make can to make it by themselves.


Purchase a Cuisinart Automatic Ice Cream Maker from Amazon

Purchase a KitchenAid KICA0WH Ice Cream Maker Attachment from Amazon

Purchase Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book from Amazon